Regine was once a ‘loser’

Before she started winning one singing contest after another in her native Bulacan (and eventually became a big star), Regine Velasquez was a consistent “loser” when she represented her school at the annual PRISAA (Private School Athletic Association) meet.

“I always lost in the competition in Science and other subjects,” recalled Regine with a laugh at the recent presscon for PLDT Gabay Guro (supported by PLDT chairman MVP) which is headed by Chaye Cabal-Revilla, one of the 2013 TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men). “Mahina ako sa mga ganon.” (Gabay Guro has been building classrooms in various parts of the country, recently in earthquake/typhoon-hit Eastern Visayan provinces [Bohol, Samar, etc.], with new ones soon to be turned over to authorities in Tacloban City and Palo in Leyte.) 

But she was a winner in the singing competitions and she’s thankful to her teacher(s) who encouraged her to pursue her dream. As a gesture of gratitude, Regine agreed to sing gratis et amore Believing In Me, the official Gabay Guro tribute song dedicated to Filipino teachers, composed also for free by Regine’s sister Cacai and husband Raul Mitra.

At the presscon, Regine sang Believing In Me (included in her latest album, Hulog Ng Langit) which might be in her Voices Of Love Valentine concert repertoire with Martin Nievera (slated for Feb. 14 at the MOA Arena).

Asked what lessons she has learned from her husband, Ogie Alcasid (aside those from her teachers), Regine said it’s being masinop (thrifty).

Ogie confirmed it to a group of movie writers over lunch yesterday at Ryu Ramen, the restaurant on Tomas Morato (Quezon City) which he co-owns with some friends.

“We’re training our son Nate (who turned two years old in November last year) to be masinop, too,” said Ogie. “We gave him a piggy bank and he puts coins into it every day. The other night, Nate said, ‘Dad, pengeng peya.’ I gave him coins at nag-I love you siya. Hawak-hawak niya ‘yung coins habang dumedede siya. Then he said, ‘Yehey!’ before dropping the coins into his piggy bank.”

One thing Ogie said he learned from Regine was patience.

“She said that masungit daw ako sa bahay,” Ogie related with a smile. “Sometimes kasi pabalang ako sumagot. She would ask me, ‘Ano ba ang gagawin mo ngayon?’ I would answer, ‘I have a meeting, etcetera.’ Then, she would forget and ask again, ‘Ano nga ba ang gagawin mo ngayon?’ And I would say, ‘Di ba nasabi ko na sa’yo?’ She would say, ‘Puede mo namang sabihin ng mahinahon, di ba?’ I realized she’s right. She taught me how to be more patient.”

Actually, Ogie and Regine are enjoying a happy marriage.

“Pareho kasi kaming sira ang ulo, eh,” joked Ogie who will star solo in his own Valentine show, minus Regine this time (unlike last year when they did a Valentine show, Foursome, with Martin and Pops Fernandez), set for Feb. 13, 14 and 15 at the Music Museum. Titled Samahang Walang Ka-Valentine, it’s a different kind of Valentine show conceptualized by Ogie himself, featuring sad songs dedicated to women who have lost their husbands.

“I am inviting three special guests to watch the show,” disclosed Ogie, “Susan Roces, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Lorna Tolentino,” widows of, respectively, Fernando Poe Jr., Dolphy and Rudy Fernandez. “Masarap sila kantahan, di ba? I will find out what their favorite songs are and I will sing to them.”

The couple will celebrate Valentines on Feb. 16.

Contrary to rumors, Ogie’s TV5 show The Mega and The Songwriter hasn’t been shelved, which is currently replaying past episodes. Ogie said that they’ll start taping new ones end of this month. What Ogie is excited about is his new show Confessions of a Torpe in which he will play a 40-year-old virgin.

Asked when he lost his innocence, Ogie, 46, said, “I was a late bloomer. I lost it when I was 24.”

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